Ben, der Zauberlehrling

The Sorcerer's Apprentice is yet another adaption of the battle of good vs evil involving Merlin and Morgana. For the most part, it's a wholesome family movie. The acting is decent and the script is fairly well written. However, there are some things that detract from the entertaining qualities of the movie. The lead character comes across as more irritating and annoying than anything else. Kelly LaBrock's performance is rather lackluster. The cinematography and effects in the film is more that of the late 1970's rather than a film done in 2000. The style might even be considered reminiscent of the many Disney movies of the late 60" to mid 70's. Despite it's shortcomings, I still believe the movie was entertaining.

This movie should prove enjoyable for the pre-teen set, but there's nothing much here to appeal to adults or older young people. Acting is so-so, effects are pretty bad and story has plenty of holes. Older viewers will be interested to see once-famous actors like Robert Davi and Kelly Lebrock in major roles. I guess this is the kind of movie you do when your career is in a slump and/or you need the money. Families can watch this one with no qualms: there is no objectionable material other than occult elements (as you would expect with a movie called The Sorcerer's Apprentice).

This is a very nice little family film - suitable for the whole family. And, with the current popularity of fantasy films - should prove popular. The highpoint of the film is the presence of the great Robert Davi in the role of Merlin. He makes a perfect wizard - both in the flashback sequences and in Merlin's modern incarnation. If you are looking for a pleasant evening with the family - this would be a great choice.

It is watchable as a Rifftrax. This film needed a commentary.

What is there to say about a film that has been done 3 or 4 times, except that this the WORST of the adaptations I've seen.

It lacks any coherent storyline (although most of us know the storyline), and I'm afraid the performances of any of the actors (including the usually good Robert Davi) is dismal. Kelly LeBrock was picked because she's pretty, not because she can act. Sad to say, I see why her career foundered early on. The actor playing the boy is vacant-eyed for the entire movie (is he the child equivalent of the "dumb blonde"??), and I wonder if he even had a career after this.

And, another movie where everyone talks as though they were born in 1992 (Morgana: "Enough of this. Are we gonna fight now?" Just what I would expect of a sorcereress born 1500 years ago: she sounds like she was born in Southern California. Poor screenplay, poor writing.

The movie is hardly watchable. If I was 10, I might enjoy it. Unfortunately, I'm closer to 100 than to 10, so it has very little appeal. I wanted to like it, but it just didn't. Happen. Maybe you will have more luck!